'Supports going up after battle...', c 1917.

Description

Group of soldiers marching towards the front line, taken by an unknown photographer. An atmospheric photograph of marching Australian troops reflected in a pool of water. This photograph was probably taken during the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Paschendale, which was fought in very wet and muddy conditions. The full caption reads: 'Supports going up after battle to relieve the front trenches, note the three observation balloons above the bright cloud.' This photograph is from an album called 'Official Australian War Photographs', produced by the Australian War Records Section which was established by the British government in 1917. The British government in World War One recognised the importance of photographs, both as propaganda and as historical records.